HCPL branches will close on Thursday, April 2 at 5 PM and will be closed April 3 through April 5. We will reopen on Monday, April 6 for regular hours.Lone Star College - Cy-Fair Library will be open Thursday April 2 until 10 PM.

Marsha D's blog

Since 1990, America has recognized November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Come in to the library and see our display. Check out a book and learn more about American Indians or read a book written by an American Indian author. There are many to choose from: For little kids there's The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo. Teens might enjoy The Round House by Louise Erdrich. House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday may appeal to adults. Or, just take some time this month to re-discover the heritage of America with books like 500 Nations by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. or the Atlas of the North American Indian by Carl Waldman.

The library now has a Common Access Card (CAC) Reader that can be used while in the library. The CAC is a smart card issued to the military and others who need access to DoD facilities or network systems. The card may contain data storage, identification, authentication, and application, all accessed electronically with a CAC Reader. Please ask at the customer service desk for in-library use only. For more information call 281-492-8592 or go to www.hcpl.net.

There’s something exciting being featured at the Maud Marks Library in October. NASA’s model of the International Space Station is on exhibit from Oct 3 through Oct. 16, 2014. The display demonstrates how large the actual space station is by showing it hovered over a US football field, although the actual space station weighs almost 925,000 pounds. Come in and see for yourself. While here, check out some books on space and learn more about life in the International Space Station.

Katy School District has an early dismissal day on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. The library opens at 1:00 and we will be showing a family movie at 1:15 pm. Come on in for free popcorn and watch an "awesome" movie about little colorful blocks of plastic that form together to create mini figures in a community of villains and super heroes. For the exact title of the movie please call the library at 281-492-8592.

September is the month that libraries celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month. A library card is an invaluable school supply. It is a key resource for research, discovery, and so much more. Information can be accessed 24-7 from our website. If you do not have a Harris County Public Library card go on-line and register and/or come in and sign up. Just bring an ID with current residence address and get a card today. If you are under 18 years old you will also need parent/guardian signature on the form. We have a great collection and an expert staff to help you find what you are looking for.
Here are seven super ways to use your Library: 1) Check out books and audiobooks 2) Use a computer 3) Learn a language 4) Take a computer class 5) Join an ESL class 6) Bring your preschooler to story time 7) Join a book club.

Searching for a job can be overwhelming. And then, when you get the interview, how do you prepare for it? Come to the Maud Marks Library for assistance. Workforce Solutions is hosting a series of classes for job seekers. The next one is titled Interviewing, which will be meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, at 10:00 am. Registration is required so do not hesitate. That job interview may be just around the corner.

Do you experience anxiety when you go on the computer to check your email? What about placing an on-line order with your credit card? Maybe you don’t do either of these things because you’re too worried. Come to the library on Tues., Sept. 9, 2014, from 1:00-3:00 pm for a class on Computer Security. Learn tips to help secure your computer and become more confident when you log on. It could be the best class you take all year. Registration is necessary so do not hesitate.

Are you interested in what you see when you look up in the night sky? The Houston Astronomical Society will be at the library Aug. 5, 2014, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm telling us about what “they” know about what “they” can see. You can ask questions and learn a lot, so come on over to the library and meet us in the meeting room at the Maud Marks Library, Katy, TX.

If you haven’t read a good romance book in a while, or even if you have, come on in and see this week’s display, and register for the Adult Summer Reading Program. You still have time. The last day to read and record for the summer reading challenge drawings is Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. There are baskets with books and other goodies that can be won. Go on-line to register at www.hcpl.net, and then come in and get your ticket for the drawing. Hope to see you soon.

Have you been wanting to learn a language and just couldn’t find the time to take a class? Harris County Public Library has a database you can access from home, or you can come into the library on a Friday afternoon and use our computer lab, complete with headphones and microphones. Mango Languages offers 63 languages. Their motto: “Pick one and conquer the world.” For more information go to our website at www.hcpl.net and click on Databases/Languages/Mango Languages. Create a profile that keeps track of your learning or just do a Quick Start to see what it’s all about.

Information for Persons with Disabilities: Harris County Public Library will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who are interested in attending library programs. To make a request for yourself or someone you know, please notify the Branch Librarian two working days in advance of the program.